Oxford United welcome Accrington Stanley on Easter Monday, looking to put the controversial events of Friday’s clash at the Stadium of Light behind them.
The U’s lost 3-1 against Sunderland but the scoreline didn’t reflect the performance or the events.
Oxford took a deserved lead through James Henry but were pegged back in first-half stoppage time. With under ten minutes remaining, the U’s were already down to ten men and had gone behind in controversial circumstances before Max Power netted late on as Oxford pushed for an equaliser.
Despite the result, U’s boss Karl Robinson will take plenty of positives from the performance and will fancy his side against an out of sorts Stanley.
Accrington played out a goalless draw with Burton on Friday, meaning John Coleman’s side have managed just one win in six and three in 15. During that run, Stanley lost 7-0 to Peterborough and 4-1 to Bristol Rovers, and have managed just one clean sheet in their last 11 games.
Oxford are without Sam Long after the defender came down with an ear infection, but Josh Ruffels and Alex Rodriguez Gorrin could return. Mark Sykes is suspended following his sending off against Sunderland.
Stanley are without Mark Hughes for the rest of the season while Joe Pritchard and Colby Bishop remain sidelined. However, Ben Barclay could return.
Dion Charles is the club’s top scorer this season with 18 in all competitions while Colby Bishop has added ten. Defender Cameron Burgess has also chipped in with five goals.
Oxford won the reverse fixture 4-1 and won this fixture 3-0 last season. However, Stanley recorded three wins from the previous four, including two at Grenoble Road.
Predicted line-up: Jack Stevens, Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, Anthony Forde, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Cameron Brannagan, James Henry, Brandon Barker, Elliot Lee, Matty Taylor
Prediction: Oxford United 2-0 Accrington Stanley
